The Sheriff of Norwich for 2023-24 is Dr Jan Sheldon. She was formally appointed at the mayor-making ceremony at City Hall on Tuesday 23 May 2023.
Biography
Dr Jan Sheldon is chief executive at Norwich-based homelessness charity St Martins and has led the charity since 2018. St Martins is an established partner in delivering Norwich City Council’s rough sleeping strategy to break the cycle of homelessness.
Jan has spent her whole career in social care and worked her way through all levels of the sector, from a role as a night care assistant in residential care, to a senior position working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care on workforce development strategies.
Jan is passionate about ensuring that people who need care and support get the help that they need.
Prior to joining St Martins, Jan was the CEO of the Royal Association for Deaf people for seven years and holds British Sign Language (BSL) level 3. Jan was awarded a Doctorate in Education by Sheffield University in 2004; she qualified as a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors in 2015.
Born in Great Yarmouth, Jan grew up in Beccles where her father was a part-time preacher and delivery van driver, while her mother played piano for the church.
Jan enjoys spending time on the Norfolk Broads, visiting churches, cathedrals, and old buildings. She is a qualified PADI open water diver, enjoys yoga and regularly runs.
Jan regularly speaks at community groups and events around Norwich and Norfolk, a part of her job that she relishes, as she enjoys meeting people and championing the contribution that local people make in their community.
Jan is a member of Homeless Links National Advisory Board and contributes regularly on the Homeless Link leadership and development programmes.
Jan works closely with the small team of executive directors at St Martins and three of the directors will be her consorts during her year as Sheriff of Norwich. These are: Maria Baranowski, Jo Gillies -Wheatly and Angela Herbert.
Request the Sheriff's attendance
The Lord Mayor and Sheriff receive many invitations to events and functions – ranging from formal openings to school or hospital visits, fundraising events for their chosen civic charity and small community projects to official visits from other dignitaries – attending up to 500 throughout the year.
Request the Lord Mayor or Sheriff to attend your event.
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